Last week I commented on the potential for a long-term decline in public transport use as a result of rapidly changing working, technical and social trends. I’ve now read of proposals being developed by Go-Ahead to introduce Uber-style bus services to pick up passengers on demand at virtual bus stops, and to convert depots to handle the delivery of on-line shopping during the day when the depots are largely empty.
This reinforces how important it is for bus operators to develop innovative services to stay ahead of the game, and to respond to changing social and technical trends.
Those that stand still are at increasing risk of failure. It’s doubtless easier for the big five to invest in this way, but much harder for small and medium-sized operators. But even for these, I’m sure there are plenty of potential business partners wiling to invest. If you view your bus depot more as a warehouse, at least during the day when all your buses are on the road, what’s to stop you teaming up with haulage operators to develop new storage and onward delivery services? It’s a fast-changing world.
Meanwhile, the EU (Withdrawal) Bill has completed its parliamentary stages. Threats of rebellion by Conservative backbench Remainers to ensure that parliament had a “meaningful” vote in the event of a “no deal” Brexit came to nothing when Theresa May gave some ground by saying that the Speaker would have the final say on whether parliament could instruct the government on how to proceed in this eventuality.
This lies at the heart of the issue: Should parliament be able to instruct the government on how to proceed, or should it only be able to advise the government? This may sound like a fine distinction, but in the ways of parliamentary procedure it’s more important than it may seem. In any event, Theresa May’s concession was enough to prevent a rebellion.
This episode continues to highlight just how weak her position is. I have little doubt that there will be further threats of rebellion when debates on the EU Trade Bill start in July. Here’s something to reflect on: If John Bercow is still the Speaker when the “meaningful” vote takes place, he may find it impossible to resist making the vote an “instruction” to the government on how to proceed in the event of a “no deal” Brexit.
There’s no love lost between the Speaker and the government, even though they all belong to the same party. John Bercow may be unable to resist really poking Theresa May in the eye and forcing her to accept the vote as an instruction on how she must proceed. She may just come to regret this concession, unless John Bercow is unseated as Speaker before the vote takes place – and there are plenty of Conservative MPs wanting to do just that.
